Skims has expanded incredibly quickly, reaching a $4 billion valuation, solidifying its position as one of the most prosperous contemporary fashion labels. The cultural significance of the company’s items is just as appealing as its actual goods. Kim Kardashian, Emma Grede, and Jens Grede co-founded Skims in 2019 with the straightforward yet remarkably successful goal of making shapewear inclusive, comfortable, and powerful.

Skims generated discussion from the moment its initial product was released. Customers who had long been excluded by conventional beauty standards found great resonance in the message that it was not just about sculpting the body but also about enjoying it. The brand has a very contemporary tone that is straightforward, sincere, and approachable. This strategy has proven very effective in drawing in younger audiences. Currently, Gen Z and millennial consumers make up over 70% of Skims’ clientele, representing the future of consumer culture.
Skims: Company Overview and Financial Profile
| Category | Details | 
|---|---|
| Company Name | Skims | 
| Formerly Known As | Kimono Intimates | 
| Industry | Apparel / Fashion | 
| Founded | September 10, 2019 | 
| Founders | Kim Kardashian, Emma Grede, Jens Grede | 
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, USA | 
| Key Executive | Jens Grede (CEO) | 
| Core Products | Shapewear, Loungewear, Swimwear, and Men’s Clothing | 
| Company Type | Private | 
| Current Valuation | $4 Billion (as of 2024) | 
| Annual Sales | Projected $750 Million (2023) | 
| Investors | Wellington Management and others | 
| Official Website | www.skims.com | 
The company’s exceptionally creative fusion of authenticity and branding has propelled its quick ascent. The company’s business plan and design direction have been greatly influenced by Kim Kardashian, who owns 35% of Skims. Although her status as a well-known celebrity undoubtedly aided in the beginning, Skims’ momentum is maintained by the brand’s legitimacy rather than her notoriety. By producing goods that work incredibly well and give wearers comfort and confidence, Skims has earned people’s trust.
The company’s financial success demonstrates accuracy and tenacity. Skims was worth $3.2 billion in 2022. It increased to $4 billion by the middle of 2023 following a $270 million funding round headed by Wellington Management. In addition to boosting Kim Kardashian’s personal wealth by almost $500 million, this most recent round set up Skims for international growth. Investor trust in the brand’s long-term growth and remarkably resilient business strategy is reflected in the valuation increase.
The success of Skims also reflects a larger trend in fashion toward inclusiveness and design with a purpose. In contrast to previous luxury businesses that placed a strong emphasis on exclusivity, Skims embraces accessibility. Its advertisements showcase a range of body types, sizes, and backgrounds, portraying actual bodies in a way that is relevant and genuine. Customers’ emotional bonds have been strengthened with great effectiveness because to this personal approach. This type of marketing is more organic than deliberate, and as a result, the gap between brand experience and customer expectations has narrowed considerably.
Skims has been doing quite well financially. It was anticipated that the company’s yearly sales will increase from $500 million to $750 million in 2023. This growth trajectory exhibits regularity and scale. The brand’s versatility is demonstrated by the fact that its product line has grown to encompass menswear, loungewear, and swimwear in addition to shapewear. In an exciting transition from an internet startup to a fully fledged fashion company, plans are also in the works to create real retail outlets.
Kim Kardashian’s business endeavors with Skims also expand upon her prior experiences with SKKN by Kim and KKW Beauty. She valued KKW Beauty at $1 billion when she sold 20% of the company to Coty, Inc. in 2020 for $200 million. She later turned that success into SKKN by Kim, a high-end skincare brand renowned for its sophisticated formulas and understated packaging. Kardashian has demonstrated her ability to clearly adjust to shifting market needs by consistently reimagining her business portfolio.
The dedication of Skims to reinventing luxury via inclusivity is what makes their tale so inspirational. Confidence is not exclusive, according to the brand’s obvious statement. In addition to regular consumers, this mindset has drawn international athletes and celebrities who openly support the brand. Skims has become a symbol of contemporary empowerment thanks to campaigns that feature a variety of characters, including Olympians and supermodels. It illustrates how fashion can be more than just cloth; it can be a weaving of culture, identity, and self-assurance.
Under the direction of CEO Jens Grede, the company’s executive team makes sure that operations continue to be extremely effective and strategically in line with international retail trends. Grede had a wealth of brand growth experience, as did his wife Emma, who is also credited with co-founding Good American. Their combined experience has been incredibly successful in promoting global expansion while preserving the integrity of the brand. The cornerstone of Skims’ success story is the collaboration of the Gredes’ operational expertise and Kardashian’s influence.
Beyond Skims, Kardashian’s move from entrepreneur to institutional investor is indicated by her participation in SKKY Partners, a private equity firm she co-founded with Jay Sammons. The company focuses on industries like luxury consumer goods, hospitality, and internet commerce. Her ability to transition from creating brands to influencing industries is demonstrated by this move, which is very creative for a celebrity who is now a corporate leader. SKKY, who has her mother Kris Jenner as a partner, carries on the Kardashian family’s tradition of fusing storytelling with strategy.
Skims’ branding still heavily relies on social media, but in a more sophisticated way. Kardashian makes the marketing feel natural by incorporating things into her lifestyle story rather than overtly promoting them. Her 363 million Instagram followers offer an unparalleled platform, but through partnerships and community-driven interaction, the brand’s voice beyond her personal audience. The visual identity of Skims—gentle hues, inclusive images, and simple aesthetics—creates a timeless and contemporary emotional calm.
The expansion of the brand also brings attention to a larger societal discussion on representation and self-image. The inclusive sizing offered by Skims, which ranges from XXS to 5X, has proven especially revolutionary. The brand has raised the bar for the industry by demonstrating that fashion can be democratic without sacrificing appeal. This trend has been incredibly successful in catching contemporary sensibilities since it promotes self-acceptance while remaining sophisticated.
According to financial analysts, if Skims keeps up its present rate of growth, its yearly sales might reach $1 billion by 2025. The company’s foray into menswear represents a daring and encouraging move into a market niche that is frequently controlled by conventional sports brands. This diversification demonstrates strategic insight and establishes Skims as a lifestyle powerhouse in addition to a fashion brand.
